Goodbye Summer.... Hello Fall!

Well, Fall has officially begun. Autumn is really one of my very favorite seasons EVER!!! I love the cooler weather, the beautiful leaves changing colors, yummy caramel apples and spending Friday nights at the High School football games! The only problem is that it never stays long enough for me. Today while I was taking Ashlee to school it made me so happy to see snow in the mountains:)!! I guess winter is just around the corner:(!

"Never forget"

There are some things that happen in our lives that have such an impact on us. We know exactly where we were & what we were doing. September 11, 2001 is one of those for me, as I'm sure it is for you. I remember that day just like it was yesterday. I remember where I was when I got the news & how sick I felt as I watched the tragedy unfold. I remember how it was eerily quiet in the skies that day, as all planes were grounded. I also remember how united our Country was after this happened. We came together to mourn for our fellow Americans who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and perished that day. And for those whose loved ones wouldn't be coming home again! I will be forever changed because of this tragedy. Sadly we lost our sense of security and we felt vulnerable and violated, but we also gained a greater appreciation for those who sacrificed to help those in need. It made heroes out of many, and it brought out the best of our Country.8 years later, I still think about that awful day. Slowly my security is coming back and I feel so grateful for the freedoms that we have in this Country, and for brave men and women who fight EVERYDAY to keep us free! I also believe that we can't take them for granted. I am truly proud to be an American!!!

Happy Anniversary to us

The Titans get the Rock!!!!! Titans vs Eagles 2009

Olympus and Skyline have been long time Rivals! It is a high school level rivalry like BYU/Utah. It has been a long time since they have played eachother and even longer since Olympus has had bragging rights and had the famous"ROCK" in their possession! This is due to the fact that Skyline recruits players from all over the Valley and therefore has one of the best football teams in the state. Olympus has had some really rough years lately, however this year they got a new coach, and they seem to be over their losing streak. Last Friday was the BIG game. The battle for the rock (trophy)was on! The rock goes to the winning team and they keep it until the two teams play again!! The Deseret News had favored Skyline to win by 20 points, the boys were ready and they played a great game. The Olympus Titans won by 2 touchdowns...the final score was 28-14. Way to go Titans!!!!

Ashlee and Jake in their OLY gear

Gary and Laura came to support James!! #32 Go James!! Ashlee and Sarah Cheering on Oly

We Got the rock!

Another School Year

Well the first day of school has come and gone. I can't believe how fast the summer flew by. I have to say I was a little sad sending my kids off to school....Sure, I now have time to do things I didn't when they were home & I am not everyone's personal taxi anymore(at least between the hours of 8-3) . But we all had such an amazing summer & I am a little sad to see it end. James is starting his Senior year of high school(Big man on campus) which is hard for me, and he's also playing Football. Before I know it he will be all grown up. Jake started off in a new school this year....Beehive Academy is a Charter school that specializes in Science and Technology, there are some College level classes offered & we thought since Jake is "Gifted" it would be just perfect for him. The jury is still out on weather he likes it or not, but there aren't as many students so he gets more personal attention. Ashlee is in her last year of Elementary school. She is a big "6th grader". So we're back to school, homework and early bedtimes, which is always a good thing. I just wish it hadn't come so soon!

~James~

~Jake~~Ashlee~

"Stand for Truth and Righteousness"

Well , Ashlee is now officially in Young Women's. She went for the first time last Sunday. We are so proud of her. She is such a special girl, with a strong desire to do what her Heavenly Father would want her to do. She not only graduated from Primary, she also earned her "Faith In God" award. Way to go!

Breakfast at Einstein's

For Ashlee's birthday, the Young Women in our ward came over at 7:00 the Saturday morning before her birthday, kidnapped her and took her out to breakfast at Einstein's bagels. She had so much fun with some of the cute girls in our ward! The girl's that came were: Ivie Wilde, Mary Farley and Hannah Sheets. It was such a fun surprise for Ashlee!

Ashlee's Birthday Campout!

The girls

Ashlee had a camping sleepover party for her birthday!! The girls had lots of fun eating fun food, roasting their dinner (hot dogs) ,and marshmallows for s'mores over the open campfire. They also were telling scary stories. After dinner and s'mores, they opened presents and had oreo blizzard ice cream cake. They played capture the flag until around 1:30 a.m., (I'm sure the neighbors really appreciated being kept awake all hours of the night. I forgot how loud little girls can be. It was a big success but I sure am glad it's over!!

8~3~97 Ashlee Nichole Hulet

I can't believe that my baby girl is 12 years old ! 12 years ago today on a rainy summer day my sweet little Ashlee was born. I remember the day just like it was yesterday...All morning I had been having contractions for hours. I wasn't due until the 16th so I really didn't think that it was time. We went to church and my contractions were getting stronger and more painful, I had Don take me home. An hour later when he got home I realized that it was the "REAL THING"! So we packed up the kids and were off to the hospital. I got to the hospital at about 5:00p.m. the nurse checked me and said that I either needed to walk around to progress labor, or they would have to send me home. Don and I started to walk the halls, but we didn't get very far. I was in so much pain I couldn't stand it. We went back to the same nurse, who checked me again. This time I was dilated to a 6 and ready for an epidural. I really think that she miscalculated the first time. Ashlee was born at 9:33 p.m just four and a half hours after arriving at the hospital! The cord was wrapped around her neck twice. The doctor had to unwrap her neck as she was being born. After she was delivered he also noticed a knot in her cord if she had moved wrong before she was born, she would have certainly died. I don't think we realized the seriousness of the situation. I am so grateful for her sweet spirit. She is so excited that she will be going into young women's. We love her so much, and are so glad that she came to our family!!!

San Diego....Fun, in the warm California Sun!!!

We just got back from a fun filled week in San Diego. It was so fun our resort was right across the street from the Carlsbad Beach. We spent alot of time at the beach in the hot sun and cool ocean. On Tuesday, we went to Sea World. It has been quite a while since I have been there, and it was so much fun. We got there around 9:00 am and stayed until around 6:30 pm. We went to the 'Shamu' show, the Dolphin show & the Sea Lion show. They even had a show called "pet rules". It was right down our Alley. Dogs and cats doing tricks...Sooo cute. I guess Sea World adopted alot of homeless cats and dogs & trained them for the show. We also rode a few rides. The lines were so long...2 hours for shipwrecked rapids (a little like rattlesnake rapids at Lagoon)and an hour in a half for Atlantis...(A water roller coaster). They were short but really fun, and I think we would have been sorry if we hadn't gone on them. The Iced Lemonade was a hit & made the heat more bearable... When we weren't at the beach, the pool was the next best thing. We ordered drinks(Diet Coke) at the pool and the kids got otter pops while they were swimming & I think it was fun for them...I know it definately was for me! We spent nights in the hot tub relaxing. It was fun to have so much time with eachother. The only down side was that we all got too much sun, some more than others. But we really had a great time.

Our day at Sea World!Fun Beach day!

I think this is how we all felt by the end of the trip!

EXHAUSTED!!

Fun in the Sun!

We have had such a fun summer. It has been filled with friends , food & fun! James had the opportunity to go to a passing tournament in Santa Fe California with some of his football team. He had so much fun! they drove down on Thursday morning ...Stopping in St george for the night. Friday they reached California and had the tourney! They spent the day on Saturday at Huntington Beach. James had such a good time & came home so tan. It's good to have my kids so busy doing things. I don't think I've heard "I'm bored" more than a couple of times the whole summer.

~The Girls~

~Sarah, Emily, Ashlee & Kira~

~Making a Splash~

~Emily, Kira, Ashlee, Jake & Cody~

~Ashlee & Kira~
~Cody & Jake~
~Sarah & Emily~

While James was gone we let the kids invite friends over for swimming and a barbeque. It was such a fun day. It did get a little crazy though, Emily hit her tooth on Kira's elbow. I guess that's what happens when you have 6 kids in a pool. We had hot dogs for lunch and finished off with ice cream cones! Yeah for Summer!!!!!!

"Kindergarten Babies"

~Ashlee and Kira~ ~Kira and Ashlee have alot in common....they both love to have fun and be silly.

I love their spunk~

Recently Ashlee was able to reconnect with one of her best friends from Kindergarten. Ashlee and Kira found eachother on facebook, started chatting and pretty much just picked up where they left off. She was able to come and stay over for a couple of nights with Ashlee. It was so funny it was as if 6 years hadn't even passed.

"Oh what do you do in the Summertime"?.........

At our house we swim, eat popsicles and swim some more!

This is pretty much an everyday occurance at my house. I think that the kids have had a lot of fun swimming in their pool. It isn't huge, but it keeps them cool and I think it is just the right size. As you can tell we can't keep enough otter pops around...I guess they just go with summer!

The Zoo with Friends

On Thursday my kids & I were able to go to the zoo with the Crawford's (Holly, Sarah, Cody & Emily), they have a season pass and they were nice enough to let us tag along as their guests! It was actually the perfect day....not too hot & just a little overcast. (we did encounter a few raindrops off and on though). The kids had a great time together and so did Holly & I! We spent most of the afternoon there. After we got done seeing all of the animals & all of the walking around, we decided to let all of the kids get some snacks (Dippin' dots)..lunch is TOO expensive, and has alot to be desired! Anyway we all had a wonderful time.....Thanks Holly!!

As you can see, our kids really can't read very well!

The sign said "PLEASE STAY OFF THE STAIRS"!!!!

James, Sarah, Jake, Cody,

Ashlee & Emily

Jake, James & Ashlee at the "Madagascar" exhibit.

Ashlee & Em


The Crawford's and the Hulet's...........
James, Sarah, Emily, Ashlee, Cody & Jake.
As you can see from this picture, James was finished
having his picture taken & wouldn't look at the
camera, so he needed a little help....Thanks Sarah.

Ashlee & Sarah!

2 little birdies sittin' in a nest

Here are the final pictures of the baby birds who have been living in my front door wreath for the past month and 1/2. Out of 5 eggs 2 of them hatched. Which is pretty good since they're nest is an awkward place. They are just so cute! It has been kind of fun having them there!